Trends in Hospital-Acquired Infections, According to a New CDC Report

February 20, 2015

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently published findings regarding the latest trends in hospital-acquired infections (HIAs) in the U.S. While some HIAs have shown promising decreases, according to this report, the CDC notes that there is room to improve and further protect patients.

What are Hospital-Acquired Infections?

While there have been some promising drops in the rates of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S., more needs to be done to prevent HIAs, the CDC says.

Hospital-acquired infections refer to communicable illnesses (i.e., contagious diseases) that people develop as a direct result of staying in hospitals. According to data from the CDC, every day in the U.S., about 1 in every 25 patients receiving care in a hospital setting develops at least one HIA.

Hospital-Acquired Infections in the U.S.: Here’s What the CDC Found

The CDC’s report on the state of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S. specifically focused on analyzing trends in the incidence of five prominent types of HIAs, including:

Central line-associated bloodstream infections, which occur when contaminated tubing is inserted in patients’ veins or when tubing is improperly inserted, allowing germs to enter the bloodstream

Surgical site infections, which develop as a result of mistakes made during or after surgical procedures

Another type of bloodstream infection, which may be referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Deadly diarrhea infections, which may be referred to as Clostridium difficile infections

Catheter-related urinary tract infections (UTIs).

In reviewing national data from 2008 to 2013 regarding these hospital-acquired infections, here’s what the CDC found:

Central-line bloodstream infections dropped by 46 percent.

Surgical site infections declined by about 19 percent.

MRSA infections decreased by approximately 8 percent.

Diarrheal infections dropped by about 10 percent.

While catheter-related UTIs increased by about 6 percent, these hospital-acquired infections are declining overall when looking at the bigger picture.

Despite the promising drops in hospital-acquired infections indicated by these findings, it’s important to point out that these decreases have fallen short of reaching the goals for reductions in HIAs set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2009.

Trends in Hospital-Acquired Infections in Oregon

While the CDC continues to monitor trends in hospital-acquired infections in the U.S., contact us if you’ve been diagnosed with an HIA. We can help you.

Here’s what the CDC’s report on HIAs found when reviewing data from Oregon hospitals and in-patient health care facilities:

Central-line bloodstream infections dropped by about 70 percent (24 percent more than the national drop).

Surgical site infections saw both an increase and decrease in Oregon, as the rate of surgical site infections related to abdominal hysterectomies increased by about 12 percent while these infections related to colon surgeries dropped by about 25 percent.

MRSA infections decreased by about 38 percent.

Diarrheal infections dropped by about 24 percent.

Catheter-related UTIs increased by about 16 percent.

Here, it’s important to note that Oregon is among 10 states whose health departments are participating in the CDC’s Emerging Infections Program, which is focused on researching and reducing hospital-acquired infections (among other things).

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections

Understanding the current status of and trends in hospital-acquired infections – both on the state and national level – is just the first step in preventing HIAs and saving lives. The next step is identifying and implementing various methods of reducing these infections.

To this end, the CDC will be adding a new tool to its HIA reporting system that will allow hospitals (and other health care facilities) to identify which of its units are associated with the highest numbers of hospital-acquired infections. The goal is to help hospitals better target problem areas and improve patient safety in these units.

As CDC Director Tom Frieden has explained, “hospitals have made real progress to reduce some types of healthcare-associated infections—it can be done.”

Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyers at the Savage Law Firm

Have you or a loved one developed a new injury or illness as a result of staying in a hospital? Or have you been hurt by any medical mistakes? If so, you can rely on the Portland medical malpractice attorneys at the Savage Law Firm for experienced help and aggressive legal advocacy.

At the Savage Law Firm, our lawyers realize how devastating medical negligences can be on a physical, psychological and financial, level. That’s why we are here to aggressively defend injured people’s rights to both justice and compensation – and why we are ready to start helping you today.

The Savage Law Firm provides legal advice and representation for personal injury and civil litigation plaintiffs in Portland, Oregon, and communities throughout the western and central part of the state, including Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Oregon City, Tigard, Milwaukie, Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Salem,
Corvallis and Eugene.

The firm also provides service in Washington state including Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Redmond, King County and Bellevue.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee results in any particular case. The cases described in this website are only examples.